New Kent Fair Set For Sept. 12-13

NEW KENT — The New Kent County Fair will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 12 and all day on Sept. 13 on property adjacent to the New Kent schools. Booth set-up begins after 4 p.m. on Sept. 12.

The fair is an annual event sponsored by the New Kent Ruritan Club in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Profits from the gates and booth rentals are returned to the community by the club for scouting groups, the volunteer emergency service groups, the Christmas mother, New Kent County Social Services for Thanksgiving food baskets, a student scholarship and exhibit awards presented at the fair.

Volunteers from the Ruritan Club and throughout the community participate each year. The theme for the fair is ``Bringing the Community Together.'' Grand marshal for the parade will be Calvin C. Greene of New Kent.

A 5K walk/run will be held at 9 a.m. on Sept. 13. Registration will be at 8 a.m. at the New Kent High School track.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the high school cross country team. The entry fee is $8 and includes a race T-shirt and admission to the race. For information, contact Coach Joan Hudson at 966-9671.

The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at New Kent Courthouse, proceeds west on Route 249, turns on Egypt Road and passes in front of the high school.

Anyone with antique cars or street rods can ride in the parade. Call Betsy Files at 932-4598 for information or show up at the New Kent Courthouse by 9 a.m. to line up.

Admission to the fair is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children 12 and under. New this year is the New Kent High School PTSA scholarship fund-raiser, Meadow Muffin Megabucks. A $5 ticket purchases the ``deed'' to one square yard of the county fair chip fair.

At noon on Sept. 13, the cow will enter the field and the first ``meadow muffin'' of the appropriate size deposited determines the winner. Tickets are available from Terry Lawler at 932-3068.

Other events include all day live entertainment, field demonstrations, a car show, petting zoo, adult and kiddie rides, fair exhibits, carnival games and community booths with food, raffles and information. Pony rides and a riding demonstration by Dreamcatchers Therapeutic Riding Center will be featured.

The high school greenhouse will be open both days for sale of chrysanthemums and pansies. The New Kent Ruritans will sponsor a raffle with the drawing at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13.

The State Police Med Flight helicopter is scheduled to land and be available for inspection by the public. The New Kent Sheriff's Department will hold a K-9 demonstration and have the crime scene van and marine patrol equipment on display.

The 4-H Players will sponsor a Miss and Master New Kent County competition from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the high school auditorium. Three age categories will compete in fashion and talent events. For information, call Nina Brown at 932-3957.